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Fetal Growth and the Fetal Origins Hypothesis in Twins — Problems and Perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

David I.W. Phillips*
Affiliation:
MRC Unit(University of Southampton), Southampton General Hospital, UK. diwp@mrc.soton.ac.uk
Michael J. Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Jeffrey S. Robinson
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Prof. DIW Phillips PhD FRCP, MRC Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, The United Kingdom.

Abstract

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Although there is substantial evidence from studies of singletons that small size at birth is linked with long-term adverse health effects, until recently little was known as to whether these associations extend to twins. A review of published studies suggests that at present there is little consistent evidence that birthsize in twins is associated with increased morbidity or morality. While, these findings may reflect methodological limitations, it is also argued that they arise as a consequence of the substantially different biology of fetal growth in twins.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001